Danielle worked at Young Life with Eric's sister, Samantha. Danielle mentioned to Samantha that she had an obsession with Golden Retrievers. She believes God takes all the good things in the world and puts them into Goldens. When Samantha asked Danielle to meet Duke (Eric's Golden Retriever) on her lunch break, her response was an emphatic, "Yes!" She went down to meet Duke and then went to lunch with Eric and Samantha.

A month passed after Eric and Danielle's introduction. Samantha had her birthday celebration at Thunder and Buttons, a karaoke bar in Old Colorado City. Danielle went to T&B from a Christmas Party to see some friends from work, and Eric arrived with his cousin Alyson and friend Tyler (T-dog). After meeting Eric again, Danielle spent the rest of the night talking to Tyler. A few weeks later some Young Life people held a game night. Unbeknownst to Danielle, Eric went so that he could see Danielle. . . Danielle didn't go. Fast forward to January 2019 -- Danielle was staying with Ashley before they left for a Young Life Leadership Retreat in Estes Park. Danielle received a text message from an "Eric Warren", a name she didn't recognize, asking her to do the Incline that weekend. Danielle asked Ashley, " Do you know an Eric Warren?" Ashley said no, so they Instagram stalked him and realized it was Samantha's brother. Danielle declined the offer because of leaving for the weekend, but suggested that they do something when they got back. They planned a 'hang-out' for Monday night. The weekend flew by and Danielle got back Sunday night from her weekend away. She received a group text inviting her to a party to watch the Red Moon. She declined. Eric then texted her asking if she was going to the Moon Party. She said no, but Eric tried to convince her to go. She said maybe. Then Tierney called, asking Danielle to go with her to the party. Finally, Danielle said yes. On their drive to the party, Tierney and Danielle tried to figure out whether Danielle and Eric's hang-out the next day was a date or not. Danielle arrived before Eric, but when Eric walked in she got up to greet him and Alyson. Danielle knew then, by his hug, that it was something more than a friendship. They talked for hours on the porch, in the brisk mountain air, quietly falling in love.

In spite of the assumed feelings the night before, Danielle still wasn't sure if it was a date. She tried on a million outfits and texted pics of them to her friends. It became clear that it was date when Eric texted for her address to pick her up. Though they planned to go to a nice cocktail lounge, she replied asking if they could eat at Chick-fil-A. Eric agreed and was on his way. When he texted that he was at the house, Danielle did a few nervous jumping lunges getting ready to walk out the door... ripping her favorite pair of jeans. In a frenzy, she rushed to change and met him downstairs. They ate at Chick-fil-a, then went to Cork and Cask where they talked all night. Hours felt like minutes and before they knew it midnight and a blizzard sneaked up on them. Neither wanted to leave their 'snow globe.' Not ready for the night to end, they went back to Danielle's house and spent the rest of the night talking on the couch. They had their first kiss, and Danielle knew that she found her forever.

Eric and Danielle traveled to Brazil to visit some friends. At first, Danielle had suspicions that Eric would ask her to marry him there, but Dani's mom called and told her, "Honey, I don't want you to be disappointed and ruin your trip. He isn't going to do it in Brazil but it'll happen shortly after. So just enjoy your trip and your friends." Danielle journaled and let go of the thoughts that it would happen there. On their second day in Illahbela they went to the beach, hiked through the jungle barefoot, and swam to waterfalls. On their way back to the house from the waterfall, Danielle and Eric were debating whether they should take photos that night or not. Eric's mom, Ginny, had bought Dani a jumpsuit to wear in Brazil. As part of his sly plan, Eric made up a story that Ginny wanted photos of Dani in the jumpsuit in Brazil. Eric grew anxious as they drove back to the beach house. Concerned by the setting sun, Eric talked to Esperanza about whether there was time for photos. They decided they could do it. Dani, confused by Eric's urgency to take pictures, rushed to get ready. Esperanza expertly snapped some photos of the two of them in a scenic spot. Then she asked Eric to put something in her camera bag. He left and Dani posed for pictures by herself, joking lightheartedly with her friend. Espy said, "Okay now turn around and look at the sea." Danielle turned and saw Eric on his knee with a beautiful ring. Stunned, Danielle put her hands to her cheeks as Eric expressed his unending love for her and asked her to marry him. She said yes! They embraced, and two paths that crossed when neither of them expected it, because of a Golden Retriever named Duke, became one journey into their future.